Former UFC fighter found dead in prison cell: what caused his death?

Former UFC fighter Godofredo Pepey Castro was found dead last weekend in his cell at the Broward County jail in Florida. The 38-year-old Brazilian, who had been held since June on charges of kidnapping, intentional strangulation, witness tampering and aggravated assault against his partner, is believed to have taken his own life.

Pepey, who fought 11 times under Dana White’s promotion in the featherweight division (five wins, six losses), was discovered by a corrections officer during a routine inspection around 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. According to the official report, he was found unconscious with a bedsheet tied around his neck. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident but have ruled out the involvement of other inmates.

Emergency protocols were activated immediately and officers tried to resuscitate the former fighter until paramedics arrived. He was rushed to Broward Health Medical Center, where his death was confirmed.

Castro had been jailed in Deerfield Beach after being accused by his partner, Samara Mello, of a violent assault. Court documents describe how, during a jealous argument, he allegedly dragged her by the hair into their home, where he strangled her several times, causing her to lose consciousness repeatedly, and struck her head against the floor. Mello was found with visible facial injuries and clear signs of strangulation. Pepey pleaded not guilty and his bail was set at $12,000. He was also being held under an immigration detainer.

Godofredo Pepey rose to prominence in 2012, earning a UFC contract after reaching the final of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. He retired in 2018 with a professional record of 14 wins and seven losses – six of them inside the UFC – and earned a Performance of the Night bonus in 2014 for a flying-knee knockout.

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